Integrated Recovery Plan 1.0
In response to the long-term impact caused by social unrest and COVID-19 to society, the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) kickstarted the “Integrated Recovery Plan" in 2020. With an aim to achieve social recovery, we carried out a series of projects responding to the social needs of “Health”, “Self-sufficiency”, and “Social Cohesion”.
Two years have passed, and the pandemic is still lasting. The fifth wave of COVID-19 brought a new condition to the society in which we believed that it is important to further enhance the community's capacity in responding to and recovering from emergencies and crises which will possibly happen in the future. In view of this, the HKRC decided to launch the "Integrated Recovery Plan 2.0" in July 2022, to make Hong Kong a more resilient society.
Over the next two years, the HKRC will conduct diverse projects which target to have positive impact on “Health”, “Livelihood”, and “Social Cohesion & Connectedness” to five types of groups including – Elderly & People with disabilities, Low-income families, Children & Youth, Multi-cultural communities, and Community partners.
"Savour Together" Food Voucher Scheme
The scheme was held in two phases from April to November 2021. It subsidized a total of 1,205 low-income persons from 361 families and delivered PPE supplies, so as to enhance their capacity to cope with the pandemic. The first phase was piloted in Sham Shui Po District and the second phase expanded to Northern District, Yau Tsim Mong District, and Kwun Tong District. The scheme not only reduced the families' meal expenses, but also supported local shops during the slump. It even made them feel more connected to the community.
Aftr completing two phases, we invited 30 beneficiaries who have diverse backgrounds for interviews.
The stories about their experiences can be read on the following webpage: "Savour Together" Story Collection (Chinese only)
Inclusion of Personal Protective Items as Regular Relief Items in Local Disaster Relief Service
Since September 2020, we provided personal protective items, including surgical masks for adults and child, and hand sanitizers to people in need through our community partners. 111,736 items were distributed, served 38,890 person-times.
In response to the 5-wave of COVID in Hong Kong, the scheme added additional types of item, e.g. goggles, face shields, isolation gowns and gloves for cleaners, and RAT kits, bleaches for low-income persons, to help them better cope with and prepare for the pandemic.
Elderly Health Promotion Kits
In order to take care of both physical and mental health of elderly during the pandemic, the scheme made an informative but easy-reading health promotion kit, which includes information of coping with COVID and self-care.
In collaboration with community partners, 20,000 sets of health promotion kits were distributed to elderly between October 2020 and February 2021.
Scale up of Mobility and Personal Care Equipment Support to People in Need (Details)
To reduce financial burdens and enhance convenience for people who need to borrow mobility equipment, the scheme offered door-to-door or mobile hubs delivery services and concessionary rate on equipment loan to the targeted vulnerable groups from January 2021 to July 2022. In addition, the service incorporated a pilot scheme of mobile service depots to o facilitate the sick, wounded, disabled and their caretakers to rent suitable equipment through different channels.
410 service users from the vulnerable groups are benefited by free equipment delivery. 326 service users/ caregivers from the vulnerable groups are benefited by fee waiver of rental. 4 mobile depots were set-up and reached 171 new loan cases.
People in need can still learn about our regular Mobility Equipment Loan Service by clicking “Details”.
COVID-19 Survey and Seminar on COVID-19 Pandemic fatigue (Details)
To further investigate the causes of pandemic fatigue, the HKRC conducted a survey "The Components of Pandemic Fatigue and its Impact under COVID-19“ in early 2021. It is indicated that people with higher health literacy, supportive interpersonal relationships, and accessibility to necessary hygiene supplies were more willing to continue to practice public health preventive measures.
We encourage citizens in the community to spend 3 minutes calling or texting a person each day from today to show your care and share correct information. This not only sends care and warmth to people, but the connection between people is also contributing to an extended community network to fight against the pandemic.
In order to discuss future work in the “Post-Pandemic Era”, we successfully held a seminar on 24th May 2021, with more than 200 people from different social sectors attending and discussing.
Actions & Voices for COVID-19
This scheme gathers the strengths of volunteers and members, and lets them plan and implement services on their own with an aim to assist in community recovery and enhance community resilience by transforming ideas into actions. Each service project can receive project funds of no more than HK$50,000.
A total of 10 service projects were successfully completed, covering different groups across the community, such as children, women, and ethnic minorities. One of the service projects, the “Community Service Project 2021”, focused on physical, mental, social and spiritual health and therapeutic horticulture to relax the body and mind, relieving the tension between parents and children staying at home due to the pandemic. The “Hidden Reds” were a group of Ladies Volunteers of different nationalities. They organized handicraft workshops to break the ice with citizens of different races in the community and to learn about their difficulties during the pandemic. The “Tuen Mun Disaster Prevention Juniors” consisted of about 40 primary school students who visited the community to collect information and promote environmental hygiene knowledge to squatter occupants to enhance civic awareness.
Humanitarian Trainee Scheme
To support the employment of youth, the scheme provides half year job opportunities and diversified on-the-job learning opportunities to 20 fresh tertiary graduates in 2020.
Trainees reported that the scheme brought not only practical working experience, but also knowledge and reflection on Humanitarian values. Half a year after, some of them decided to continue to work in HKRC.
As our first ever launched Humanitarian Trainee Scheme in 2020 had good responses, the second year's Humanitarian Trainee Scheme was launched in 2021. The second phase of the Humanitarian Trainee Scheme ended in March 2022. Among the 9 humanitarian trainees, 5 continue to work in the HKRC.
Work Placement for Youth Scheme
Similar to the Humanitarian Trainee Scheme, "Work Placement for Youth Scheme" offers 8 weeks of job tasting and learning opportunities to recent graduates of Form 6 secondary school students. We hoped that by this scheme younger participants could also have opportunities to explore humanitarian service and to have their career direction clearer.
Work Placement for Youth Scheme ran from October to December 2021 and from April to June 2022 respectively. 7 placements were recruited and worked in different units.
Provision of Vocational training and Employment Support to Unemployed and Underemployed Youth
The scheme which is implemented by the HKRC Training Centre, targets in helping unemployed youth by providing free job training in the field of nursing care, including:
- Physiotherapy Assistant Training
- Occupational Therapy Assistant Training
- Gerontech Care Equipment Training
Unemployed youth aged 18 to 35 can take either one course. A relevant technical certificate will be offered upon completion of the course and passing the exam. The course also teaches job-seeking skills and provides 3-months of employment support. As at December 2022, the scheme has held 6 classes, approximately 100 students enrolled.
Journey Together - Psychosocial Support Training for People Working with Youth (Details)
The scheme kickstarted in early 2021. It is a 3-hour training session conducted by our clinical psychologists from Psychological Support Service, with an aim to improve the youth workers’ awareness and ability to support adolescents’ mental health.
1,041 youth workers participated in the project. Participants reported that the activities and toolkits are innovative and helpful. It is easy to comply even if one does not have related qualification and experience. 4,806 youth benefitted by the psychological support training kit.
The Humanitarian Companion – Integrated Training Pack (Details)
In recent years, mental health and the needs of vulnerable groups concern the youth greatly. In case of this, HKRC launched this scheme, which open for youth aged 18 to 35, in the combination of 4 separated courses which include:
- Standard First- Aid Training Course;
- Psychological First- Aid Training Course;
- Introduction to Youth as Agents of Behavioural Change Course; and
- Exploring Humanitarian Law Course & War Zone 90
At last, 80 participants were enrolled in the scheme and successfully passed the courses which were held from June to December 2021. It was widely appreciated that the scheme is very fruitful with affordable prices. Participants also reflected that they are willing to apply the skills and humanitarian values learned in their daily life.
Enhancement of the School Health Ambassador Programme
The programme has been launched since 2003 after SARS, with the aim to promote health and hygiene awareness and skills (including First-Aid, Mental Health, Disaster Preparedness etc.) in participated primary and secondary schools by School Health Ambassadors.
Facing COVID-19, the programme designed brand new teaching materials and delivered continuous talks and training for the Ambassadors. As at December 2022, 280 sessions of activities, such as regular health-check, mental health station, health, and safety education promotion etc., were held in 136 participating schools.
We: CONSTRUCT
A series of training courses and workshops were organized to enhance participants’ understanding of humanitarian values and non-violent communication skills. We hope everyone would treat others with empathy and assist one another to enhance cohesion.
As at January 2023, 84 sessions of training, workshop and sharing were arranged, with 6,097 beneficiaries.
